May 9, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali president meets business communities in London

08 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/ Hiiraan Online/Radio Risaala- 141 words

The president of the Somali Federal government Hassan Sheikh Mohamud together with his delegation met Somali and foreign business communities who want to invest Somalia in London Wednesday. The president has warmly welcomed people to invest in his country. Speaking at the meeting, Somali president Hassan Sheikh stated that investments are needed especially in roads, ports, airports and houses in order for the country to complement with the 21st century.

Key Headlines

Somali president meets business communities in London (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
Somali government troops conduct operation in Marka Town (Radio Mustaqbal)
Kismayo hospital closes TB ward as funds dry up (Radio Ergo)
New Somali Intelligence Boss Takes Office (Radio Bar-kulan)
London conference backs Somalia’s stabilisation plan (Standard)
British FM holds bilateral talks with African leaders on Somalia (Xinhua)
Kenya backs return of Somali refugees (Star)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali president meets business communities in London

08 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/ Hiiraan Online/Radio Risaala- 141 words

Somali government troops conduct operation in Marka Town

08 May- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 152 words

Somali government security troops were reported to have conducted military operation in Marka Town, the headquarter of Lower Shebelle region in the Southern of Somalia on Wednesday. The operation came after the home of district commissioner in Marka was attacked on Tuesday night. Reports from Marka say that the security forces of the federal government are seeking those behind the attack on the commissioner’s house. The district commissioner of Marka Mohamed Osman Ali Yarisow speaking to Mustaqbal radio on the telephone said he survived an attempt on his life after unidentified men raided his house with explosives. Several suspects were seized in Wednesday’s operation.

Kismayo hospital closes TB ward as funds dry up

08 May- Source: Radio Ergo- 135 words

Kismayo general hospital’s tuberculosis (TB) ward has been closed down due to lack of funds to repair war damage and maintain services.The hospital administrator, Dr Abdisamad Abuukar Haji, told Radio Ergo that the hospital was also running out of essential medical equipment and medicines. Dr Abdisamad said the hospital’s main sources of funding from the Global Fund and other organizations were cut off when al Shabaab forces controlling the town declared a ban on UN agencies and most aid organizations in November 2011. Since Kismayo was captured from al Shabaab by allied government forces in September 2012, the funding has not been reinstated. Treatment for TB used to be provided free of charge. Children and women used to be the biggest number of beneficiaries of the hospital services.

New Somali Intelligence Boss Takes Office

08 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 97 words

A hand over ceremony for the position of director for the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) following the resignation of Ahmed Moalim Fiqi a month ago was on Wednesday held in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. The occasion was attended by the minister of interior and security Abdikarin Hussein Gulled, members of the Somali Federal Parliament, the new director to take over the position and many other guests. Bashir Mohamed Jama (Gobe) who spoke at the ceremony said that there will be big changes in the country’s Intelligence and Security Agency.

Somaliland VP travels to UK

08 May- Source: somalilandinformer -98 words

Delegation headed by Abdirahman Abdilahi Ismail Zaylici Somaliland Vice president has left for the United Kingdom on Wednesday and during his stay in the UK, the VP along with his accompanied members of his delegation will attend the 18th anniversary of Somaliland Independence Day which is commemorated annually. The VP is accompanied by members of Council of Ministers, members from the legislative assembly. VP said that he will celebrate with Somaliland community in the UK regarding the 22nd anniversary of Somaliland’s independence from rest of Somalia in 1991 after declaring its independence unilaterally.

REGIONAL MEDIA

London conference backs Somalia’s stabilisation plan

08 May- Source: Standard- 313 words

The London Conference on Somalia has agreed on the need for the international community to support the Somalia Federal Government’s plans in security, justice and public financial management. In a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day conference on Somalia, participants also agreed on several measures to be taken in order to assist the Horn of Africa country in its reconstruction and stabilization efforts.

Kenya backs return of Somali refugees

08 May- Source: Star (Kenya)- 506 words

Kenya supports the speedy resettlement of Somali refugees in Somalia, President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday told the London conference on Somalia. He said that the Dadaab refugee camp has 500,000 people which is larger than the third largest city in Kenya. Kenyatta said the situation was “untenable.”

Somalis divided on London conference

08 May- Source: Al Jazeera English- 512 words

An international conference on Somalia attended by representatives from 50 countries and organisations was held in London on Tuesday. Its aim was to garner support for the Somali government in its effort to rebuild the war-torn country, and prevent it from slipping back into lawlessness. The conference, co-hosted by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, saw donors pledge some $130m in aid to Somalia. But not all leaders from Somalia’s patchwork of self-governing regions attended.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

British FM holds bilateral talks with African leaders on Somalia

08 May- Source: Xinhua- 339 words

British Foreign Secretary William Hague held bilateral talks with several African leaders during an international conference on Somalia on Tuesday in London. Hague met Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and the two discussed how best to support the Somali government’s priorities for rebuilding the country, British Foreign Office said in a statement. Britain recognized Kenya’s vital role as a neighbor of Somalia, as a troop contributor to African Union (AU) Forces in the country, and host to more Somali refugees than any other nation, the statement said.

Channel 4 News film Somali Justice wins award

08 May- Source: channel4- 170 words

Jamal Osman’s film about prisoners on death row in the troubled east African country wins the News category at the One World Media Awards. Jamal found a convicted murderer and gained access to him in his prison cell in Bossaso. He then tracked down the murderer’s mother, and the family of his victim, to get an insight into how justice is done in Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Whatever transpires in the next few years in Somalia and Somaliland, the fact that the latter has developed a credible constitution, held a succession of genuinely competitive multi-party elections and effected peaceful transfers of power is worth emphasizing.”

Negotiating peace in Somalia – an insight from Somaliland

08 May- Source: African Research Institute Blog-801 Words

In his 2009 book, Somaliland: An African struggle for nationhood and international recognition Iqbal Jhazbhay’s asserts that “Somalia no longer exists”. This claim remains valid to a certain extent. Security – a crucial ingredient for further progress – is challenged daily. Persistent al Shabaab bomb attacks in and around Mogadishu serve as a shocking reminder of the precarious nature of the situation. Since September 2012, the president, the Supreme Court and foreign delegations have all been targets for suicide bombers. Al Shabaab still controls much of the country. At present, the government’s authority hardly runs further than the bounds of Mogadishu – if that far.